So please pray for us that our issues will be resolved quickly. Thanks.
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Sunday, January 31, 2010, 4th Sunday Ordinary Time
Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19, 1 Corinthians 12:31—13:13, Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17,
Luke 4:21-30
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/013110.shtml
SURPRISED BY LOVE
"When I became a man I put childish ways aside." —1 Corinthians 13:11
Saul resembled the indignant Jews from Nazareth in today's Gospel. He
surely wanted to throw Jesus over a cliff (see Lk 4:29). Such was Saul's
zeal when he opposed Jesus and His followers. He harassed the Church,
entered many Christian homes, "dragged men and women out, and threw them
into jail" (Acts 8:3). Saul once testified: "I sent many of God's holy
people to prison. When they were to be put to death I cast my vote against
them...Indeed, so wild was my fury against them that I pursued them even
to foreign cities" (Acts 26:10-11). Saul was one of those who would put a
Christian to death and "claim to be serving God!" (Jn 16:2)
Saul couldn't accept Jesus in his native place (see Lk 4:24). So Jesus
gave him a new nature and a new native place. Jesus appeared to Saul (Acts
9:3ff), gave him a new nature in baptism (Acts 9:18), and a new native
place by granting him citizenship in heaven (Phil 3:20). Saul had a heart
of stone, and was a man without love. Set free by the love of Jesus, "Saul
(also known as Paul)" (Acts 13:9) became a "pillar of iron, a wall of
brass" who spread the word of God to many nations (Jer 1:18).
How could such a zealous, furious man change into a person so loving and
sensitive that he could write the beautiful, timeless words of love
recorded in 1 Corinthians 13? Paul's fury melted as the Holy Spirit poured
out the love of God into his heart (Rm 5:5).
Who is the hard, angry Saul in your life? Can you love this Saul into the
arms of Jesus? "Love never fails" (1 Cor 13:8).
Prayer: Jesus, love many into Your kingdom through my life. May I see
those with hardened hearts through Your eyes.
Promise: "Before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I
appointed you." —Jer 1:5
Praise: "Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph
1:3).
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
December 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, June 4, 2009
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
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